Ballyboden edge past Clonkill after tough battle

DUBLIN champions Ballyboden St Enda’s qualified for the Leinster Club SHC semi-final with a hard-earned two-point victory over Westmeath champions Clonkill in Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.

Goals from Conor McCormack and Simon Lambert in the 23rd and 26th minutes respectively, opened up a half-time lead of 2-7 to 0-6 for the Ballyboden St Enda’s men.

Clonkill were boosted by an early second half goal by Brendan Murtagh and when Murtagh pointed again in the 50th minute, the Dublin side’s lead was down to a point (2-9 to 1-11).

However Clonkill could not push on, as Malachy Travers and Paul Ryan shone for Ballyboden in the final stages. The Dublin men advance to meet Offaly champions Coolderry in the last four.

Scorers for Ballyboden: P. Ryan (0-8, 0-5 frees, 0-1 from ‘65), S. Lambert (1-1), C. McCormack (1-1), M. Travers (0-1), D. O’Connor (0-1).

Scorers for Clonkill: B. Murtagh (1-5, 0-1 from a free), A. McGrath (0-3 from frees), A. Mitchell (0-3, 0-1 from a free, 0-1 from ‘65), Anthony Price (0-1), A. Dowdall (0-1).

BALLYBODEN ST. ENDA’S: G. Maguire; S. Nagle, D. Spain, M. O’Sullivan; M. Travers, S. Nolan, D. Curran; D. Curtain, S. Durkin; J. Doody, C. McCormack, D. O’Connor; P. Ryan, S. Lambert, E. Carroll.

Subs: N. McMorrow for J. Doody (38), T. Sweeney for E. Carroll (41), D. Sweeney for S. Nagle (54), P. Buckeridge for D. Curran (58) .

CLONKILL: S. Nulty; S. Cleary, Adam Price, J. Fagan; P.Dowdall, A. Mitchell, K. Reilly; E. Price, L. Folan; Anthony Price, A. McGrath, A. Dowdall; S. Loughlin, B. Murtagh, E. Loughlin.

Subs: C. Scally for Anthony Price (38) , L. Donoghue for L. Folan (49).

Referee: Fergus Smith (Meath).